Thursday, August 30, 2007

The season is fast approaching with just a little over a week to go before the season opener. We're planning for an all out invasion of our watch sites to watch the first game, so start making preparations now!

Lots of good stuff to pass along about fall camp and the start of all the fall sports at UNL. I've added a little advertising for one of our favorite causes, the Mission Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Emily Ray, wife of Mike Ray who is one of our BAH Board Members), so check it out. And there's a little Husker Humor at the end to bring a smile to your face! Have a great weekend AND...

Go Big Red (White and Blue),Carl

P.S. I apologize if you see blurry images in this email. I think the Athletic Department changed their photo format so many of the images that accompany articles may not come through anymore when I paste them into the email. If it continues I'll quit adding them and just send the text.

BAY AREA WATCH SITES ARE PREPARING FOR THE RETURN OF THE HUSKER FAITHFUL!

All of our watch sites will be ready for the season opener on September 1st. Legends in Concord, Jack's in Fremont, Final-Final in San Francisco and Knuckles in Monterey will all be able to get the broadcast (regional ABC). Kickoff is set for 12:30 Pacific Time so we recommend you get there early for a good seat and some great 'pub grub' before the game! Check out our website for details and directions http://bayareahuskers.org/watchsites.html

And this info from Steve Curry, Final-Final Watchsite Coordinator...

San Francisco Husker fans,

Arnie Prien at Final Final sports bar says he's got all the satellite sports packages again which includes ABC regional coverage. So, we're on for the Nevada game. Let me know if you have any additions to make to our Final Final notification email list. (Contact Steve at the email below if you want to get on his Final-Final email roster)

See ya Saturday, 1 September. Go through all of your normal game-day rituals and get there before the 12:30 PDT broadcast time so we can get the good viewing areas. Wearing red is a good thing even if it is a bit rah-rah for San Francisco. We are the Big Red Nation after all!

A message was left with Purify and Spears' mother, Mary Purify-Skillman, who said Purify was with other brothers in his family and was not available for comment. On Thursday, Purify-Skillman said Maurice worked out at his alma mater, Eureka High School, and spent more time with family.

NU Head Coach Bill Callahan said he talked with Purify on Tuesday before the receiver left for home.

"He's endured quite a bit in the last year, year and a half," Callahan said. "We're very concerned about his well being, of course, and I want to get him back here as soon as possible with his family here. Everybody back in California has been very supportive."

Lil' Red is one of six collegiate nominees for the Mascot Hall of Fame. Voting ends Sept. 6.

Lincoln - Nebraska mascot Lil' Red is one of six collegiate mascots nominated for induction into the Mascot Hall of Fame, and Husker fans are being encouraged to go on-line to vote for the Huskers' beloved inflatable ambassador of cheer. To vote for Lil' Red, fans should visit mascothalloffame.com now through Sept. 6. (Vote early and vote often!)

The Mascot Hall of Fame announced its 2007 Ballot for Induction in early August and on-line voting began Aug. 6. The voting runs through Sept. 6

Entering his 14th season on the sidelines and in the stands at Nebraska athletic events, Lil' Red was unveiled as the Cornhuskers' contemporary mascot in 1994. Lil' Red has captured numerous awards since its inception, including a National Cheerleaders Association national championship as a mascot in 1999.

A total of 12 mascots with six from the Professional category and six from the Collegiate category have been nominated for induction in the Mascot Hall of Fame.

The Mascot Hall of Fame is in its third year of inducting classes. The 2005 and 2006 classes included the Phillie Phanatic, the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, the Utah Jazz Bear, the Famous Chicken, the Houston Rockets' Clutch the Bear, the Kansas City Chiefs' K.C. Wolf, the University of Auburn's Aubie and the University of Wisconsin's Bucky the Badger.

The Mascot Hall of Fame is operated by Raymond Entertainment Group, headed by David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic from 1978 to 1993.==========

Lincoln – Cooler temperatures in Lincoln provided the Nebraska football team with some physical relief at Memorial Stadium on Thursday afternoon, but comic relief was provided by another cool Husker character.

Larry the Cable Guy, a Nebraska native and avid fan of all Husker sports, made a special appearance at Nebraska's practice, turning the Memorial Stadium FieldTurf into his stage to create a roar of laughter from the Huskers' post-practice huddle.

“He was great,” Callahan said. “He’s a Husker through and through. It’s been good to have him out here visiting with our players because it relaxes them and they have fun and he cracks a few jokes.”

While post practice laughs were a welcome event for Nebraska, it was all business during workouts as the Huskers are now just eight days away from hosting their season-opening game against Nevada on Sept. 1.

The Huskers took advantage of the break in the heat that has covered the region over the last week and practiced inside Memorial Stadium for 2 1/2 hours, as they begin wrapping up fall practices and move into game-week workouts.

“We’re getting a lot of work versus the scouts and also our defense, so we have a combination of things going on in practice right now,” Head Coach Bill Callahan said. “Overall, we’re on schedule, and we’re taking it a day at a time.”

The Huskers will practice from 2-4:45 p.m. again on Friday and will conclude Fall Camp this weekend with workouts on both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s practice will feature Nebraska’s largest audience of Fall Camp, as the NU student body is invited to attend.==========

Lincoln – For the second day in a row, the Nebraska football team welcomed prestigious guests to practice as Governor Dave Heineman was in attendance and spoke to the Huskers after a 2 hour and 15-minute workout inside the Hawks Championship Center on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Governor Heineman’s visit comes one day after the Huskers enjoyed a visit from University of Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman and members of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard.

Dressed in helmets and shoulder pads, the Huskers did not scrimmage Wednesday, as the team looks to taper and remain healthy in time for the season opener against Nevada on Sept. 1.

“We’re getting close to game week right now,” defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said. “We play in a week in a half, so we’ll start to back off in our scrimmaging. But our practice tempos don’t change. We’re going to go high and hard, have good energy and get after each other.”

The Huskers welcomed the return of junior I-back Marlon Lucky to practice, who had sat out this week due to minor injuries. No major injuries have been reported yet this fall - a good sign for Cosgrove’s Blackshirt defense that hopes to see a healthy Steve Octavien take the field in 2007. The senior linebacker has battled through a slew of injuries since 2005, but is looking good so far.

“He’s stayed healthy in camp and that’s key for him,” Cosgrove said. “He’s a playmaker. We ask him to do a lot of things and he plays a lot of different positions on our defense. We’re trying to put him in position to make plays. He’s improved as a linebacker also. His fundamental techniques have gotten better, but he still has to improve. He’s got a great motor and he’ll go until he can’t go anymore. That’s the type of guy he is.”==========

NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ENJOY HUSKERS PRACTICE...

Members of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard enjoyed practice and autographs with the Huskers on Tuesday.

Lincoln – The Nebraska football team continued their third week of fall camp on Tuesday with a 2 hour and 45-minute practice in half pads inside Memorial Stadium. The Huskers welcomed an audience of more than 250 special guests to Tuesday’s practice, as Nebraska Air and Army National Guard members and their families enjoyed fall drills and a short scrimmage.

Nebraska also welcomed University of Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman to the beginning of practice, when Perlman addressed the team, wishing them luck for this upcoming season.

Following practice, Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson addressed questions about Monday’s announcement of senior Sam Keller as the starting quarterback heading into the Huskers’ first game against Nevada in 11 days.

“We put a lot of time into (the decision),” Watson said. “It wasn’t just made in a day. It was made over the spring and the beginning of two-a-day camp. It got to a point where Sam was executing at a pretty high level, and we felt like it was the right decision to make at the time, so we went ahead and moved forward.”

Watson also emphasized the competitiveness of the quarterback race between Keller and junior Joe Ganz, and stressed Ganz’s importance to the team as a backup.

“We’re really proud of the work ethic both of them exhibited,” Watson said. “It was a really good competition and both of them did an excellent job.”

“Joe’s the most important guy on the team—the backup always is. I know that from my past experience handling the position. We don’t look at Joe necessarily as a backup. He’s proven that he’s capable of being a starter. He’s got to be ready to go in and win games, and more importantly, win championships.”==========

HUSKERS SELL MORE THAN 1,000 TICKETS IN 10 MINUTES...

Lincoln – More than 1,000 tickets to Nebraska home football games against Nevada and Ball State flew out of the NU Athletic Ticket Office in less than 10 minutes Tuesday morning. Nebraska made the tickets available to fans after they were returned by the visiting schools.

With Husker fans waiting by their computers and phones for the sale of more than 500 tickets for the Sept. 1 Nevada game and 500 more for the Sept. 22 Ball State game, the sellouts didn’t become official until 8:10 a.m.

That means Nebraska’s NCAA record sellout steak will hit 283 consecutive games in the Huskers' season opener with the Wolf Pack.

"With the visiting teams returning portions of their allotments, it made it possible for us to make some more Husker fans happy this morning," said Diane Mendenhall, Nebraska Assistant Athletic Director for Development and Ticketing. "This was a great opportunity for some of our fans who might not be season ticket holders to come to a Husker game early in the season."

Nebraska also had approximately 300 tickets available for the Huskers' road game at Missouri. Those tickets were sold in less than two hours.

Nebraska, however, still has tickets available for road games at Kansas and Colorado. They also were made available to Husker fans this morning and must be purchased by phone at 1-800-8BIGRED or in person at the Athletic Ticket Office next to Huskers Authentic in the Stadium Drive Parking Garage.==========

HUSKERS MEET NU FAITHFUL AT FAN DAY...

An estimated 7,000 fans came out to meet the 2007 Nebraska football team during the Huskers' annual Fan Day at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 18. Fan Day was just one event in a full day of fun for the Greatest Fans in College Athletics, as the Husker Nation was also invited to tour the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex and attend the Red-White scrimmages for both the soccer and volleyball teams.

For 90 minutes, players and coaches had a chance to chat with the fans while signing autographs and posing for pictures. For the team, the day began with individual and group photos, including a team photo which can be found in the Fan Day photo gallery (available soon). Prior to meeting the public, players mingled with their family and had the opportunity to meet groups of Special Olympics athletes from around the state.

As Fan Day concluded, many Huskers made extra time to sign autographs and chat with members of the Husker Nation as they made their way off the field. Fans then had the opportunity to tour Nebraska’s newest championship facilities, which included a peek into the Husker football locker room.

Saturday's activities got under way with the Coach Callahan Charities Fun Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Although football Fan Day is over, fans still have the opportunity to join in the fun. Tours of the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex will run until 2 p.m., which is also the kickoff time for the Red/White soccer scrimmage, which is free to attend.

The volleyball team wraps up the day's festivities with their Red/White scrimmage at 7 p.m. Prior to first serve, the team will receive their 2006 National Champion rings and will unveil the new championship banners in the Coliseum.==========

HUSKERS SET FOR AVCA SHOWCASE IN OMAHA...

The top-ranked Nebraska volleyball team begins the 2007 season in a familiar place, as the Huskers head to Omaha for the AVCA Showcase. The two-day tournament takes place on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25, at Qwest Center Omaha with national coverage both nights on College Sports Television (CSTV) and state-wide coverage on Nebraska Educational Television. Fans can also listen to both of Nebraska’s matches on the Husker Sports Network and on Huskers.com.

The Huskers will make the 56-mile commute from the Coliseum to the Qwest Center for one of the premier non-conference tournaments in the country. Nebraska will open against SEC power Tennessee in one semifinal, set for 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

Fifth-ranked UCLA will square off with No. 21 Utah in the evening’s first semifinal, slated for 6 p.m. Friday’s winners will meet Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. with the third-place matchup set for 6 p.m.

Nebraska is making its sixth Showcase appearance and looks to become the first program to win three titles in the event, which has been held annually since 1995. Nebraska is 4-0 in AVCA Showcase matches under John Cook, winning the event in both 2001 and 2005.

AVCA Showcase Quick Hits

•-Nebraska is a perfect 7-0 in Qwest Center Omaha since the building opened, including five wins over top-10 teams.

•-Nebraska’s 2005 AVCA Showcase title is the only time in the event’s history that the home team has won the event.

•-Friday’s season opener marks the return of outside hitter Christina Houghtelling, who was the 2005 AVCA Player of the Year. Houghtelling redshirted last season after shoulder surgery. She was the 2005 AVCA Showcase MVP.

Worth Noting

•-This weekend’s AVCA field will feature some of the nation’s top college performers, as seven AVCA All-Americans will be in action this weekend. The contingent is highlighted by Nebraska’s duo of AVCA National Players of the Year Christina Houghtelling (2005) and Sarah Pavan (2006) along with 2006 first-team All-Americans Jordan Larson (Nebraska) and Nellie Spicer (UCLA).

•-While hosting the AVCA Showcase is an honor for programs around the country, one area where it has not been a boon is the won-loss ledger. Since the AVCA Showcase began in 1995, host teams are a combined 9-15 (.375) with only one title - Nebraska in 2005. Host teams have been winless four times, most recently Florida in 2000. The Huskers are 3-3 in their three previous stints as AVCA host.

•-With such a challenging early-season field, the AVCA Showcase annually features teams that advance deep into the postseason. Of the 12 previous winners, 10 have advanced to the NCAA National Semifinals, including five of the past six seasons.

•-Over 10,000 all-session tickets have already been sold for this weekend’s AVCA Showcase, putting it well within reach of AVCA Showcase attendance records for single-match (10,576, NU vs. Stanford, 2005) and all-session (20,604, 2005). This weekend will make the seventh and eighth matches played at Qwest Center Omaha since the building opened, and every crowd has been in excess of 10,000.

•-Nebraska is 29-3 (.907) all-time in season openers, including a perfect 7-0 under John Cook. The last time the Huskers dropped a season opener came in the 1999 NACWAA Classic (now AVCA Showcase).

•-The Huskers have played their last 73 matches as the nation’s top-ranked team in the AVCA poll, dating back to the end of 2004 season. In that span, NU has a record of 67-4. In fact, Husker juniors Amanda Gates, Jordan Larson and Rachel Schwartz have been a part of the nation’s No. 1 team in every match during their collegiate careers.

•-NU is 38-3 (.927) against ranked opponents since the start of the 2004 season and 75-11 (.872) in eight seasons under John Cook.

•-With the No. 1 ranking in the 2007 CSTV/AVCA preseason poll, the Huskers have spent 72 weeks all-time at No. 1, the most of any Division I program. UCLA is second with 51 weeks. NU has been ranked No. 1 in 32 of the last 33 polls dating back to the start of 2005.

•-The Huskers enter the weekend needing one win to become the third Division I program to reach the 1,000 victory mark. The Huskers will look to join UCLA (1,037 wins) and Missouri State (1,003 wins) in that exclusive club. If Nebraska wins its opening match of the AVCA Showcase, it could set up the first meeting of 1,000-win teams, as UCLA plays Utah in the other semifinal.===

REDS OUTLAST WHITES IN VOLLEYBALL SCRIMMAGE...

Lincoln – Nebraska’s Red/White scrimmage lived up to its billing, and then some Saturday night at the Nebraska Coliseum. A Red/White record crowd of 4,073 were treated to nearly two hours of exciting volleyball with the Red squad, consisting of many of Nebraska’s starters, prevailing with a 29-31, 30-23, 30-25 victory.

In what was a final test for the Huskers before next Friday’s season opener against Tennessee, a sellout crowd and an emotional atmosphere gave the match the feeling of a contest that would be played in November or December than an exhibition in mid-August.

"This was unbelievable," Nebraska Head Coach John Cook said. "This was final-four type volleyball. I think one of the great things tonight for our players was our fans to come out and support this match like they did tonight. For the fans to come out here and support us tonight and give us a standing ovation like they did at the end, I can’t tell you what it means to our players to have that kind of support."

While the Red squad featured four returning All-Americans, including the return to action of 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling, the White squad was up the challenge behind the performances of U.S. Olympian Nancy Metcalf and Dani Busboom, the Huskers starting libero from last season’s title team who had spent the spring training with the USA Volleyball program.

Houghtelling, in her first match at the Coliseum since December of 2005, nearly totaled a double-double with a team-high 16 digs and nine kills. The senior, who missed last season following shoulder surgery did not commit an attack error through on her first 16 swings of the match and hit .250 on 28 swings.

"I thought Christina made some big breakthroughs tonight," Cook said. "She didn’t make errors attacking, and she is getting more and more comfortable passing and blocking. I think Christina has to be one of the best outside blockers in the country and her passing and defense tonight was very good."

"The level of competition tonight was so good that a lot of tonight’s swings would have been kills against other teams," Cook said. "It’s hard for me to evaluate, but I liked the mentality that we’re playing with, especially defensively."

The Reds, even without reigning AVCA National Player of the Year Sarah Pavan, held the White squad to just .159 hitting on the night and enjoyed a 10-6 edge in blocks.

While fans were treated to some outstanding performances from former greats like Metcalf (11 kills and 10 digs) and Busboom (25 digs), they also saw the Huskers’ talented freshmen class in their debuts. Middle blocker Brooke Delano totaled nine kills, while Tara Mueller finished with eight kills and six digs for the White squad. For the Reds, Kayla Banwarth finished with 12 digs in her Husker debut.

"The freshmen have been having some good days in practice," Cook said. "Hopefully they got a good feel tonight about what kind of level it is and how important every point is and the intensity they are going to have to play with every match."

The highlight of the night came following the scrimmage, as the Husker players received their national championship rings and 2006 seniors Dani Busboom and Dani Mancuso unveiled the national championship banner for the first time.==========

LOUISVILLE HOSTS NEBRASKA SOCCER TEAM FOR ANNUAL EXHIBITION...

Meghan Hungerford (left) and Aysha Jamani will travel with the Huskers to Kentucky to face the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday.

Lincoln – The Nebraska women’s soccer team takes to the field this Saturday, Aug. 25 at Noon to start its 2007 campaign with the fourth annual Jenna Cooper Memorial Exhibition Match against the Louisville Cardinals in Louisville, Ky. Nebraska returns to Kentucky after falling to the Cardinals last year, 2-1, but still leading the exhibition series 2-1.

The game serves as a memorial to former Husker Jenna Cooper. The Louisville native served as a team co-captain in 2003 and was chosen as the captain for the 2004 season. She was a three-year starter for NU and one of the top defenders in the Big 12 Conference.

Cooper started 69 of 70 career games for NU and scored 33 points on four goals and 25 assists. She led the team in 2003 with 14 assists and ranked second in points with 18. Her 14 assists placed her third on the NU single-season chart.

The memorial match serves as the unofficial kickoff to the Huskers’ 14th season under Coach John Walker. Walker welcomes a pair of new assistant coaches to the sidelines this season in Wally Crittenden and Michelle Demko, while the roster features returning contributors who will be joined by several players coming back from injury as well as 14 true freshmen.

Abby Penas is back for her senior season after redshirting last year and looks to boost the Huskers’ defense. Sophomore Lauren Isenhower, returning in September, will add offense to the Husker attack after a knee injury sidelined her last year. Megan Hungerford joins the comeback trail after sitting out last season. She’ll look to build on her past experience and step into the starting lineup in 2007.

The veterans will be joined by an exceptional ensemble of 14 freshmen. The group boasts a collection of awards and honors, while having a distinctly local flavor. Two Lincoln natives, Jamie Sanchez, a graduate of Lincoln Lutheran, and Pius X graduate Alexa Cardona join the Huskers in 2007, while five Omaha athletes add their talent to the squad as well. Other freshmen include 6-0 forward Jaclyn White and goalkeeper Jessica Mills, who graduated early from high school to join the Huskers. A former U.S. National Team player, Brittany Goosen rounds out a solid freshman class.

Those fresh faces will be integrated into the Husker program through the experience and leadership of senior Jessie Bruch and juniors Aysha Jamani and Selenia Iacchelli. Bruch looks to cap her Husker career with a deep run into postseason play, while Jamani and Iacchelli will attempt to step into roles as leaders on and off the field.=====

HUSKERS RED/WHITE SCRIMMAGE ENDS IN 1-1 TIE...

Lincoln - The Nebraska soccer team opened its 2007 campaign with a 1-1 draw in the annual Red/White Scrimmage at the Nebraska Soccer Field Saturday. More than 300 fans braved hot, windy conditions to see the Huskers take the field in the friendly.

The red squad dominated early action, capping numerous early shots with an Aysha Jamani goal in the 35th minute. A quick throw in from junior Sari Raber at midfield led to a breakaway for the speedy Jamani. Jamani, also a junior, beat sophomore Brittany Pfeil, the white team’s goalkeeper, to give red the advantage.

Red nearly made the deficit two in the second half as junior Selenia Iacchelli put a shot off the crossbar from 35 yards out. However, white used the wind in the second to wear down the red and tie up the game. Freshman Jaclyn White scored on a cross from sophomore Shay Powell that bounced off freshman Rachel Hawryluk.

White notched several more shots in the closing minutes, but red goalkeeper Jessica Mills came up with brilliant saves each time to secure the tie.==========

MISSION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SEASON TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE...(This orchestra is conducted by Emily Ray, wife of one of our board members)

SELLERS:I have two tickets to the home opener against Nevada. They are in the North Stadium about 90 rows up. I'll be posting these on eBay pretty soon if it comes to that.Thanks, Jeff Joneswaxflatter85-sell@yahoo.com (my auction address)

BUYERS:I’d like to request that you post my need for two (2) tickets to the Texas A & M game, 10/20/07Thanks, Max Noel maxnkit@comcast.net

(This request is from the parents of a new UNL student from the Bay Area) - Allyson is very excited to go to Nebraska. We ARE looking for 2 tickets to the Nebraska - Texas A&M game so if you know anyone, please let us know!Thanks, Sue Ramans taximomslr@aol.com

* Greece, Norway, Venezuela and ... NebraskaCheck out the events page on Spearfishing.com It lists the HUC TeamChallenge in South Africa, the Glafkos Spearfishing Club contest in Greece, the Kristiansund Cup in Norway, the Panamerican Spearfishing Championship in Venezuela, and...guess what? The Monday column from Tammy Hansen-Snell. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2007/08/20/46c9bcece3679==========

HUSKER HUMOR...

If You Grew Up in the Midwest......

You know how to polka, but never tried it sober.

You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means.

You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the reception and wedding dance.

You know the difference between "Green" and "Red" farm machinery, and would fight with your friends on the playground over which was better!

You buy Christmas presents at Fleet Farm.

You spent more on beer & liquor than you did on food at your wedding.

You hear someone use the word "oof-dah" and you don't break into uncontrollable laughter.

You or someone you know was a "Dairy Princess" at the county fair.

You know that "combine" is a noun.

You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steel post in the middle of winter.

You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions.

You know that "creek" rhymes with "pick".Football schedules, hunting season, and harvest, are all taken into consideration before wedding dates are set.

A Friday night date is getting a six-pack and taking your girlfriend shining for deer.

Saturday you go to your local bowling alley.

There was at least one, if not several, in your class who had to help milk cows in the morning.

You have driven your car on the lake.

Every wedding dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chicken dance.

Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar.

The local gas station sells live bait.

At least twice a year some part of your home doubles as a meat processing plant.

You think that the start of deer season is a national holiday.

You actually understand these jokes and will forward them to all your Midwestern friends!!!!!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!Sorry for the lengthy piece last week...too much going on to only send these bi-monthly (or less frequently) anymore, so you will probably start getting these emails weekly throughout the football season. If its too much for your email system to absorb let me know and I can remove you from the list. But for the rest of you die-hard fans, "there's more where that came from" will be the motto this fall.

I've added two great responses to the L.A. Times hack-sportswriter's piece last week (see our website for the last email). Enjoy, and know that the Homeland is being defended by some pretty sharp folks who are setting the record straight!

If you haven't been keeping up with local sports, San Jose is hosting the U.S. Gymnastics Championships this week at the Arena (Shark Tank). Although there aren't any Huskers competing, there are a couple of Big XII reps vying for spots on the U.S. team going to the World competition this fall. The team's performance at Worlds will help determine how many slots the U.S. gets in the Olympics next year in Bejing. See http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/ for more info.

The first football game is only two weeks away. Time to start dusting off those Big Red duds and prepare to come out to our watch party sites to enjoy the game with fellow Husker fans. I'll send more details when we get a little closer. In the meantime check out the countdown timer link on our website: http://www.bayareahuskers.org/

Lincoln -The Nebraska football team got back to work on Thursday inside the Hawks Championship Center, after receiving an unexpected day off on Wednesday. The Huskers were in half pads for the 2 ½ hour practice that was held inside following a damp day in Lincoln. Although the move indoors pulled Nebraska out of Memorial Stadium, where the Huskers have been practicing all week, it did provide a reprieve from the heat that has plagued fall camp.Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove addressed the media following practice, stating that he was pleased with the renewed vigor he felt among the team.

We had a lot of energy, Cosgrove said. You could tell we missed a day of practice, but the kids worked hard and had a lot of fun. There was a lot of energy out there.

Cosgrove talked specifically about the defensive personnel and the schemes that the coaching staff has been implementing during fall practices.

I like our ability to get speed on the field, Cosgrove said. At any given time, we can get six linebacker-types on the field with five defensive backs.

Cosgrove' happiness with the defense as a whole only seems to make his job more difficult, as the fourth-year defensive coordinator admits that Nebraska's lineup is still in the developmental stages.

We're continuing to look at a lot of things, Cosgrove said. Nothing is set in stone yet.

Nebraska will resume practice on Friday with its second two-a-day of the season.==========

Lincoln -The Nebraska football team practiced in full pads inside Memorial Stadium for 2 ½ hours on Tuesday afternoon. Once again, the main foe the Huskers battled was the scorching heat on the field.

We have some heat issues now and then, but that's to be expected, Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson said. We haven't had anything significant, knock on wood. Overall, we're in good shape.

Tuesday's practice marked the fifth time the Huskers wore full pads this fall. Watson emphasized a commitment to establishing the run, whether its during practice or during a game.

We always want to run the ball. Our first goal is to run the football, Watson said. We want to be a balanced attack, and to do that you've got to have a run game, and from that you can develop a passing game. It's always something we put a lot of time and effort into.

After practice, Head Coach Bill Callahan announced that senior wide receiver Dan Erickson has been put on scholarship for the year. Erickson appeared in all 14 games last season and made four receptions. His blocking also helped Nebraska feature a vastly improved rushing attack in 2006. Erickson was also a special teams stalwart for the Huskers.

HUSKERS RUN SCRIMMAGE DRILLS IN MEMORIAL STADIUM...

Lincoln 8/11 The Husker football team underwent its first game-like situation Saturday morning as it went through scrimmage drills in a full-pad, 2 1/2 hour workout inside Memorial Stadium.

Saturday marked the first of three two-a-days for Nebraska during fall camp.

HUSKERS GET INTO FULL PADS FOR FIRST TIME...

Lincoln --- 8/10 The Nebraska football team practiced in full pads for the first time this fall on Friday, pushing through despite muggy conditions inside the Hawks Championship Center. Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove addressed the media following the conclusion of the 2 ½ hour practice and was pleased with the Huskers' effort.

We were in full pads today, but didn't do any scrimmaging, said Cosgrove. We had a normal amount of hitting. The kids got after it pretty good.

The players battled through another day of heat and humidity while they were in full gear for the first time. I liked the way our kids fought through (the heat), Cosgrove said. It's hot. Just standing there as a coach, I was sweating.

The Huskers will begin two-a-days on Saturday, practicing in the morning and once in the afternoon. It will be the first of three two-a-days scheduled before fall classes start on Aug. 27.

You've got to be smart. We have to make sure the kids our hydrated, and we've got to watch them closely, Cosgrove said, referring to the weekend's practices. We're very fortunate that our kids came into camp in great shape, so the biggest thing is to be smart with the heat and make sure they hydrate enough.

For the complete practice report, including an exclusive photo gallery from the start of Saturday afternoon's practice, visit the Fall Camp Central page, which will be updated and archived throughout camp leading up to NU's season opener with Nevada.

==========

RESPONSES TO THE L.A. TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT NEBRASKA...

This one is from a veterinarian living in Crete who routinely writes about Nebraska Football, but sometimes about politics or current events too.

Subject: FW: LA Times Reply

Dear Friends.....Several of you E mailed me and requested an update on the LA Times Bruha. I forget that many of you live outside of Nebraska proper and were not privy to the LA times opinion article. I have therefore copied the article (ed. - see previous Bay Area Husker email) and my response. And now......the rest of the story...

My Reply:

Dear TJ of the LA Times...... I can understand your concerns about our lifestyle...In my hometown of Crete, Nebraska, located about 20 miles southwest of Lincoln, Our lifestyle is certainly "Un-Californiaish". Do you realize that:

1. I live 1/4 mile from my Veterinary Clinic so my commute to work is all of 20 seconds.

2. I live in a house with about 5000 sq. ft....own 7 acres, and can catch a 5 lb bass, right off of my deck.

3. I live about 1/2 mile from "gangs" of Turkey, Deer, Canadian Geese and Bobcats and none of them are "armed".

4. Your Pete Carrol-coached guys have had a nice run of 58-6 these past 5 years which is second only to my Huskers who went 60 and 3 from 93-97 with 3 National Championships.

5. I can spell "Murder" but there hasn't been one in these parts for at least my 50 years.

6. My house has a lock on its door.....but we have never had to use it.

7. In Crete, People spend $100,000 on houses......not cars.

8. When I go to church, I care about the other 300 members because I have known most of them....most of my life.

9. My kids can walk to school and walk around downtown and in shopping malls without a guarded escort.

10. On a clear day, I can see the Capital 25 miles away......I'm not even sure what "Smog" is.

11.......And last but not least......I am about 4 fairway woods from a golf course where it costs $9 to play.

I would invite you to spend some time with me the week before the USC game, but our village already has an idiot, and currently we are not advertising for anyone else to take his place.......As Always in Huskerville...GFL

AND HERE IS A RESPONSE FROM ONE OF OUR OWN BAY AREA HUSKERS!(she also sent it to the reporter's editor...Way to go Shari!)

Hello Mr. Simers,

An old college friend of mine sent your astoundingly rude article (below) on your future visit to Nebraska - and I think I'll comment if you don't mind.

I graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln - though I've lived in Northern California almost my entire life. I have never met kinder people than those of Nebraska. They are unfailingly nice, considerate, and understanding of others. Their generosity and support of each other is legend. It was breathtaking to read your very cruel, negative and bombastic article - where you seemed to think that by mere residence in Southern California, you are somehow superior to the citizens of another area of the country. (How were things in DeKalb, Mr. Simers? Or has the statute of limitations run out on YOUR years in the Midwest?) How juvenile you are!

You are an ignorant man - but that wouldn't be so hideous - if you had any degree of polish or decency. You sound extremely boring and hateful. I wonder why you need to revile others so much - is that really the only way you feel less deficient? I read your article aloud to a group of people over for dinner and these were some of the comments:

And those were the NICE comments. I don't think I'd pass along the nasty comments, or you many never come out from under your rock again. I hope you DO visit Nebraska - and I think you'll find that the nice people of that state can even tolerate a gnome such as yourself. They have a very progressive psychiatric hospital in Lincoln... make sure to put that on your list so you feel at home.

Kind regards,

Shari EmlingLos Altos Hills

==========HUSKER VOLLEYBALL RANKED NO. 1 IN CSTV/AVCA POLL...

John Cook and the Huskers are ranked No. 1 in the CSTV/AVCA Coaches poll.

The Nebraska volleyball team finds itself in a familiar position, as the Huskers were selected as the nation's top-ranked team in the CSTV/AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Poll released Tuesday afternoon.

The Huskers, who finished 33-1 en route to the school's third NCAA title in 2006, return five AVCA All-Americans among their nine returning letterwinners, highlighted by AVCA National Players of the Year Sarah Pavan and Christina Houghtelling.

The Huskers received 53 of the 60 possible first-place votes for a total of 1,491 points, with second-ranked Stanford receiving the other seven first-place votes and totaling 1,350 points.A three-time first-team All-American and two-time Big 12 Player of the Year, Pavan was the AVCA National Player of the Year last fall after averaging a school-record 5.10 kills and per game. The 6-foot-5 senior leads a talented attack that features three other All-Americans in 2006, outside hitter Jordan Larson, setter Rachel Holloway and middle blocker Tracy Stalls. In addition, Houghtelling, the 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year, returns after missing all of last season after shoulder surgery.

Nebraska, whose 72 weeks ranked No. 1 are the most of any program, have been the nation's top-ranked club in 32 of the last 33 polls dating back to the start of the 2005 season.

If the Huskers are to retain their No. 1 ranking throughout the fall, they will have to overcome one of the toughest schedules in school history. NU could play as many as 11 regular-season matches against teams in the preseason top 25, including matches with No. 3 Penn State and two contests against fourth-ranked Texas. After taking on Tennessee in the opening round of the AVCA Showcase in Omaha, the Huskers will face either fifth-ranked UCLA or No. 21 Utah the following night.

The Huskers and Longhorns are two of the four Big 12 teams ranked in the preseason polling, as Missouri (No. 20) and Oklahoma (No. 22) are listed among the top 25, while Colorado, Iowa State and Texas A&M also received votes from coaches around the country.

Fans will have an opportunity to see a sneak preview of the 2007 season this Saturday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m., as the Huskers will have their annual Red/White Scrimmage at the Nebraska Coliseum.

Tickets for that match are on sale now with general admission prices set at $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors. In addition, there is no cost for UNL students with a valid student ID and for children ages 6 and under. Following the scrimmage, the Huskers will receive their national title rings and the two new banners at the NU Coliseum will be unveiled.

The Huskers open the season the following weekend, as they host the AVCA Showcase at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Tickets are going fast for the four-team tournament which features UCLA, Utah and Tennessee.

See Huskers.com for the full list. Cal was #12, Mizzou was #20, Oklahoma was #22 and Santa Clara was #24.

==========

HUSKER RED/WHITE VOLLEYBALL SCRIMMAGE SET FOR SATURDAY...

The Huskers will hold their annual Red/White Scrimmage on Saturday night.

The Husker volleyball team is just two days away from opening its 2007 season with the annual Red/White Scrimmage this Saturday, Aug. 18. First serve is set for 7 p.m., and tickets are available for the first chance to see the defending national champion and nation's top-ranked team in action.

Fans who also come to Saturday's match will also be in for a special treat, as the Husker players will receive their national championship rings and the national championship banner will be unveiled following the match.

It will be a special night for our fans across the Husker Nation, Nebraska Coach John Cook said. We wanted our fans to be part of the rings ceremony because they are what makes our program special and played such an important role in helping us win the national title.

Tickets for that match are on sale now with all seats on Saturday set aside as general admission and are priced at $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors. In addition, there is no cost for UNL students with a valid student ID and for children ages 6 and under. Coliseum gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

For fans who can't be in attendance for Saturday's scrimmage, the match will be available across the state on the radio on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Omaha, and on Huskers.com. It marks the first time that the Husker Red/White scrimmage has been carried on the radio. In addition to Saturday's radio broadcast, the postgame festivities will also be available on HuskersNside shortly following the match.

==========SOCCER'S JAMANI EARNS PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM HONORS...

Junior forward Aysha Jamani has earned preseason All-Big 12 honors.

Junior Aysha Jamani has been selected to the preseason All-Big 12 soccer team in the league's coach's poll. Jamani returns to Nebraska for her junior year in 2007 as the Huskers' most potent offensive threat following the graduation of three-time Big 12 Player of the Year Brittany Timko. Jamani owns 11 goals and eight assists in two seasons and has started at forward in 37 games. A former Big 12 All-Newcomer Team member and two-time second-team All-Big 12 selection, Jamani has consistently performed at the highest level for the Huskers.

Fans will have their first chance to check out Jamani and the rest of the Huskers on Saturday, Aug. 18, as the NU soccer team hosts its annual Red / White scrimmage at 2 p.m. The event is free and takes place at the Nebraska Soccer Field, located between Memorial Staidum and the NU Coliseum. The game will give fans a chance to see Nebraska's returning players and a promising incoming class.

Fans are then welcomed back to the Nebraska Soccer Field on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. for Meet-N-Beat the Huskers, an event that includes player-instructed soccer drills and autograph sessions.

==========SOFTBALL'S KIER TO EARN DEGREE ON SATURDAY...

Carmen Kier hit seven career home runs for the Huskers.

After playing her final softball game at Nebraska in May's NCAA Regional tournament at Bowlin Stadium, Carmen Kier will complete her undergraduate experience at NU this Saturday, Aug. 18, when she receives her degree in sociology during summer commencement ceremonies at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

A native of Renton, Wash., Kier entered the Husker program as a freshman in 2002-03. After battling through a pair of knee injuries and redshirting in 2003, Kier went on to start 162 career games, including every contest in her junior and senior seasons.

Kier posted career-best numbers in 2007 and won one Big 12 regular-season title and one tournament crown while being a part of four NCAA Tournament teams, including three which were played at Bowlin Stadium.

Off the field, Kier was a two-time Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll selection.

==========TICKET EXCHANGE:This area is set aside for Husker fans looking to buy or sell tickets to upcoming games.Sell:None this week.

Buy:I'd like to request that you post my need for two (2) tickets to the Texas A & M game, 10/20/07Thanks, Max Noel maxnkit@comcast.net

(This request is from the parents of a new UNL student from the Bay Area) - Allyson is very excited to go to Nebraska. We ARE looking for 2 tickets to the Nebraska - Texas A&M game so if you know anyone, please let us know!Thanks, Sue Ramans taximomslr@aol.com

==========NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...

* Freshman RB Castille Turning Heads, Trucking Defenders in Huskers' Fall CampEven if Nebraska freshman Quentin Castille doesn't become one of the best running backs in Husker history, it'll be a first interview to remember. Boy-oh-boy, this Sam McKewon piece has brought forth comment from USC fans, as well as loyal Husker people. Your analysis is welcome and encouraged. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2007/08/14/46c1249c74e0f

* New Husker Offensive Coordinator Takes Personal ApproachAfter two weeks of what he described as the toughest fall camp he's ever endured at Nebraska, senior wide receiver Terrance Nunn indulged in a lazy Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of Head Coach Bill Callahan. The latest from Husker football writer Sam McKewon. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2007/08/17/46c524cfdfaf0

Friday, August 10, 2007

Can you smell it??? The distinct aromas of harvest season, scuffed pigskin, sweat, freshly mowed grass (well...make that artificial turf) and tailgate BBQs means that Football Season is just around the corner. The Pros are already playing pre-season games this weekend and the Huskers meet their first opponent in only 3 weeks. The first three games against Nevada (ABC), Wake Forest (ESPN) and USC (ABC) are all nationally televised, so we will get off to a great start with our Bay Area watch parties. For schedules, watch site locations and directions, and the latest Bay Area Husker info check out our website at http://www.bayareahuskers.org/ (sorry that I used .com in a previous email).

If you don't find time to read anything else in this email, you should read the L.A. Times sports article below...it will probably make your 'Husker Red' blood boil a little. Maybe it will be posted in the locker room before the game for a little added incentive.

As an added service, I've included a TICKET EXCHANGE section for those wanting to sell and buy tickets this fall. Enjoy the rest of the reading, and enjoy a little Husker Humor at the end.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),Carl

============PAVAN NAMED ESPN THE MAGAZINE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN OF THE YEAR...

Lincoln  Volleyball All-American Sarah Pavan of the University of Nebraska and diving national champion Jamie Wolf of Clarion (Pa.) University have been selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) as the 2006-07 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americas of the Year.

CoSIDA and ESPN The Magazine combine to sponsor 24 Academic All-America programs on the University (NCAA Div. I) and College (NCAA Div. II, III and NAIA) levels. For each program, an Academic All-America of the Year is selected. Pavan and Wolf were selected from a ballot that included each programs Academic All-America of the Year.

Pavan ran away with the University Division award, compiling 172 points in the voting system. A total of 48 of the 62 voters ranked her among their top three selections, including 21 first-place votes. Wisconsin-Madison ice hockey standout Sara Bauer finished second in the University Division balloting with 117 points (15 first-place), while North Carolina soccer All-American Heather O'Reilly, Tenessee women's basketball star Lindsay Schutzler (41) and Oklahoma baseball all-star Aaron Ivey (40) rounded out the top five.

Pavan, a junior biochemistry major with a 4.00 cumulative grade point average, was selected from among 12 finalists as the 2006-07 University Division ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americas of the Year. Pavan, the 2006 AVCA Division I Player of the Year and 2006-07 Honda-Broderick Cup winner, has led her team to three-straight Big 12 titles and appearances in back-to-back NCAA Championship matches. Last season, the Huskers went 33-1 en route to a national title, becoming only the third team in NCAA volleyball history to be ranked No. 1 an entire season.

"It is tremendous honor to be selected for this award, as it recognizes both academic and athletic achievement," said Pavan. "This award reflects the standard of excellence that the University of Nebraska expects of its student-athletes. My professors and coaches understand the demands of my major and the challenges of balancing both academics and athletics at such a high level. As much as it is an individual honor, it also celebrates the relationship between my coaches, academic support staff and the professors at Nebraska who work together to allow every student-athlete the opportunity to become the most well-rounded person they can be."

Monday's honor wraps up an amazing collection of awards for Pavan, who joins Rob Zatechka (1994-95) as the only University of Nebraska student-athlete to ever be chosen as the University Division Academic All-America of the year. Over the past month, she has been selected as the Honda-Broderick Cup winner 'recognizing the top female student-athlete at the Division I level ' and was chosen as the Big 12's Female Athlete of the Year. She is the first Division I volleyball player to be named Academic All-America of the Year.============HUSKERS EARN NO. 19 RANKING FROM COACHES...

The Nebraska football team claimed a No. 19 ranking in the 2007 USA Today Preseason Top 25 Coaches poll that was released on Friday. USC, the Huskers' Sept. 15 opponent at Memorial Stadium, earned the No. 1 ranking, receiving 45 of a possible 60 first-place votes.

Other Big 12 teams appearing in the poll were Texas (No. 4), Oklahoma (No. 8) and Texas A&M (No. 25), while Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Kansas State were among the schools receiving votes.

Nebraska is scheduled to face three teams ranked in the preseason poll, highlighted by home games with top-ranked USC and 25th-ranked Texas A&M and a trip to No. 4 Texas.

============HUSKERS PRACTICE INSIDE MEMORIAL STADIUM...

Will Henry and the Huskers practiced in Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

Lincoln  For the first time this fall the Nebraska football team practiced inside Memorial Stadium on Tom Osborne Field for a 2 1/2 hour workout in helmets and shoulder pads Thursday afternoon. The practice was the fourth of fall camp as the Huskers prepare to don full pads for Friday's 3 p.m. workout.

It was great weather today, Head Coach Bill Callahan said. It was absolutely great. It was good to get out in the heat and work a little bit. Our kids are acclimating to this type of weather and I think it's good. We've been inside for the last two days so it was great to finally get outside.

For the complete practice report, including audio interviews with Coach Callahan and freshman Niles Paul and an exclusive photo gallery, visit the Fall Camp Central page, which will be updated and archived throughout camp leading up to NU's season opener with Nevada.

HUSKERS FOCUS ON MENTAL PREPARATION ON DAY TWO...

Lincoln  With threats of possible showers Tuesday afternoon in Lincoln, the Nebraska football team stayed inside the Hawks Championship Center for its second day of fall camp with a 2 1/2 hour workout.

We were working at it pretty good today, Head Coach Bill Callahan said. I'm really pleased with the tempo and the way our guys worked. We have a long ways to go but it was an excellent practice for day two.

The Huskers practiced in helmets and shorts, but will put on the shoulder pads for Wednesday and Thursday's workouts before putting on full pads on Friday afternoon.

With limited contact in the first week of fall camp, Callahan addressed the importance of mental preparation as the team gets ready for the Sept. 1 season opener against Nevada, 25 days away.We've got a lot of plays in, Callahan said. During this time when you have just shorts in practice, we try to overload them with the mental side of football because there's not much contact. What we've done is elected to put in more of our system and teach them more about what we're trying to get accomplished.

Nebraska's offensive line position looks to be one of the most talented spots for the Huskers, as it includes eight juniors and seniors, providing an extensive amount of game knowledge and talent for the Big Red.

They're an experienced group, Callahan said. It's interesting because all of these guys have been around each other now for three or four years, so the communication is much better. You expect that when guys have a lot of experience and games under their belt. You can't have enough communication.

HUSKERS OPEN 2007 FALL CAMP...

Lincoln  Practicing in helmets, shorts and temperatures that reached the mid-90s, the Husker football team opened fall camp Monday afternoon on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields, the first step toward preparing for the 2007 season.

It was great, defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove said of the 2 1/2 hour workout. It's good to be back on the field and there was a lot of energy. It was hot out here and the kids had to fight through it.

The 2007 Huskers welcome a talented group of freshman to this year's team, all of whom got their first taste of football at the collegiate level Monday afternoon. Cosgrove's defense also welcomes back a strong corps of linebackers that includes four seniors in Lance Brandenburgh, Corey McKeon, Bo Ruud and Steve Octavien.

We're trying to take the next step, Cosgrove added. Our installation will be very heavy. Everything we did in the spring, we will probably get all that into about three or four days. We're trying to accelerate the learning curve on these kids and try to pick up right where we left off. We had a lot of young guys out here (today) that got a lot of repetitions. We have some good, young talent.

On the offensive side of the ball, junior running backs Marlon Lucky and Cody Glenn look to replace Brandon Jackson as leaders in the Husker backfield. The duo combined for 14 touchdowns in 2006 and will be key parts for the 2007 Husker offense.

This season's not just important for me, it's important for the whole team, Lucky said. We have so much talent and depth everywhere that we have to take it to the top. And that's what we're working on.============

KELLER NAMED TO MANNING AWARD WATCH LIST...

Senior Sam Keller was named to the Manning Award Watch List on Wednesday.

Nebraska senior quarterback Sam Keller continued earning preseason recognition Wednesday when the Allstate Sugar Bowl named him one of 35 finalists for the Manning Award, which is annually presented to college football's top quarterback.

Named in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, the Manning Award is the only quarterback award that takes bowl game performances into consideration. The three Manning's will help determine the winner, in addition to a panel of national media covering college football.

We are excited about this year's Manning Award Watch List class, said Raymond Jeandron Jr., President of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. In our season of crowning college football's best team, it will be another honor to announce college football's best quarterback in our home city following the Allstate BCS National Championship Game.

Finalists for the Manning Award will be announced prior to the bowl season.

============Journal Star Story: (fm Mac n Donna)

Purify ready to get back in shape

Nebraska wide receiver Maurice Purify is ready to put his past problems behind him and focus on conditioning.

Nebraska senior wide receiver Maurice Purify said he was prepared for a harsher punishment than the one-game suspension he received from head coach Bill Callahan.

I thought it was going to be way worse, said Purify, who will miss Nebraska's Sept. 1 season opener against Nevada. I thought it would be at least two or three. I'm glad the decision he made was one game, because I wanted to play the USC game.

Thought you would all like to read this to get an idea about the lack of "class" representing the USC Trojans. If the smog and traffic weren't enough, here's another reason to stay out of L.A. Lets hope no self respecting Husker fan gives this jerk the time of day or invites him to any Husker hospitality...he'd probably just spit on them anyway...

Simers wants to experience the run-up to the USC game with Cornhuskers fans, if any are willing to show him what their lives are like.

July 31, 2007

I am writing this now to give the overland stage time to get it there.

USC will be playing in Nebraska on Sept. 15, and I will be joining the greatest football team ever assembled as they strike out into the wilderness.

If possible, I'd like to spend time boarding with some corn cobs, maybe getting a smell of what it's like to be around livestock , then leaving Lincoln to move around the state and spend a few days here and there.

A stop in Wahoo at the Wigwam Café is probably a good start, but I was thinking it'd be interesting to stay with a real-live-boring Cornhuskers family somewhere out on the prairie so I can feel what it's like to have nothing to look forward to in my life other than a Saturday afternoon football game.

I'll be going to Nebraska early in the football week, and while I'm not sure what corn cob hospitality is like, I'd like to remind folks that when they came to L.A., I tried to help.

Remember when the Cornhuskers came to the big city to lose in the Rose Bowl? Everyone here knows there are no individual seats , just long benches for the skinny people who live here.

I was looking out for the corn-fed porkers, of course, including all their big-butted women, when I told them that if everyone sat down after the anthem, there were going to be people falling atop each other at the end of each row.

A number of corn cobs e-mailed to say they were unhappy with Page 2 but thrilled now to have their very own Internet machines.

They also wanted to tell me about their wonderful lives, kids and the modern facilities being built right down there by the creek. Well, there's nothing like a Wal-Mart coming to town to excite the locals, so I was thrilled for them. But for some reason that didn't come across in our correspondence, and there might still be some hard feelings.

I got to thinking last summer, though, as I drove the family-that-I-used-to-love across Nebraska in a RV what it must be like to actually live there most every day of your life. I can't remember for sure if it was Nebraska or Kansas where I saw a tree, but it just seemed as if there wasn't much there.

That's why the corn cobs love their football. It's all they have, everyone wearing red, and sitting there like plump, ripe tomatoes with corncobs stuck to their heads, singing, "There is no place like Nebraska.

"Hard to argue. There's not a 7-Eleven in the entire state, thousands of people never once tasting a Slurpee, which got me wondering whether I could live that way for a whole week.

I know there aren't a whole lot of cities in Nebraska, but I'm willing to spend a few days out yonder with a family if someone would like to show me what it's like to live without DirecTV and not ask me to kill a chicken for dinner.

I can play checkers if forced, though, or make a run to the Feed Store. Right now I'm willing to go wherever the corn cobs tell me to go, and while several have already done that, I'd like to see for myself they're not talking about some place in Nebraska.

All this summer on Huskers.com, we are featuring football players who have enjoyed outstanding professional careers by making the transition from Nebraska to the NFL. Kyle Larson was an All-America punter for the Huskers who closed his NU career in 2003. He has developed into one of the NFL's best punters heading into his fourth season with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Funk, Neb., native signed with the Bengals as a free agent following the 2004 NFL Draft and wasted little time making an impact for Cincinnati. He averaged 42.2 yards per punt in his first professional season and was named to Pro Football Weekly's All-Rookie Team.

Larson was even better in 2005, averaging 43.2 yards per punt, including a Bengal-record 75-yard bomb in the second quarter against Jacksonville on Oct. 9.

Last season, Larson continued to climb the ladder among the NFL's best punters, averaging 44.5 yards per punt to rank eighth in the league. He was even better in net punting, averaging 38.6 yards per boot for the best mark by a Bengal punter in a decade.

Along with his outstanding punting abilities, Larson has been an asset to the Bengals as a holder for place-kicker Shayne Graham on both PATs and field goals. In fact, Larson was the holder for all of Graham's club-record 158 consecutive PATs and 17 straight field goals.

During his stellar career at Nebraska, Larson earned All-America and All-Big 12 honors as a finalist for the 2003 Ray Guy Award. He also set the NU record with his 45.1-yard-per-punt average on 66 punts as a senior and finished his career with a 43.7-yard average on 195 punts.Larson earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in business administration and was a three-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.============

FROM NEBRASKA TO THE NFL: CARLOS POLK...

By Jeff GrieschHuskers.com

All this summer on Huskers.com, we are featuring football players who have enjoyed outstanding professional careers by making the transition from Nebraska to the NFL. Carlos Polk was an All-America linebacker for the Huskers who closed his NU career in 2000. He is in the middle of a solid pro career with the San Diego Chargers.

A fourth-round selection by the Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft, Polk was a contributor for San Diego in 2001, 2002 and 2003 before being sidelined by injuries for much of the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Last season, Polk returned to enjoy the best season of his career with 32 tackles and two sacks on defense to go along with 19 special teams tackles. He was also chosen as the recipient of San Diego's Ed Block Courage Award.

Polk was also rewarded for his stellar play with a two-year contract that will keep him in a San Diego uniform through the 2008 season. Polk owns 44 total tackles in his career on defense, including 36 solos. He has also registered three sacks. He has added 45 tackles in his career on special teams.

The 6-2, 260-pounder from Rockford, Ill., has played in 54 career games for the Chargers in his six NFL seasons.============

CHAMBERLAIN CALLED UP TO MAJORS...Joba Chamberlain was called up late Tuesday afternoon and will be in the Yankees dugout tonight.

Lincoln : Former Husker All-American Joba Chamberlain continued his rapid ascent in professional baseball on Tuesday, as he was called up by the New York Yankees.

Chamberlain, a supplemental first-round pick in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, spent less than one season in the minor leagues before getting the call to the Majors following his Nebraska career. He learned the news on Monday afternoon and reported to Toronto, where the Yankees are squaring off with the Blue Jays in a four-game series. He was officially activated and added to the Yankees 40-man roster prior to Tuesday's game.

Chamberlain, who was Nebraska's No. 1 starter in both 2005 and 2006, is the 26th former Husker to reach the Majors and the second to make his debut this season. He joins Alex Gordon, who made his MLB debut with Kansas City on Opening Day. Gordon and Chamberlain were teammates on the Huskers, 2005 College World Series team, leading the Huskers to a school-record 57 wins and the program's first CWS win.

This season, Chamberlain is a combined 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 18 appearances covering three levels in New York's farm system. He has 135 strikeouts over 88.1 innings, as he is holding foes to a .179 average. Chamberlain dominated at the Triple A level, going 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in three appearances, striking out 18 and walking one over eight innings. Chamberlain, who was used exclusively as a starter until last week, did not allow a run in his three relief outings, striking out 10 over four innings of work at the Double-A and Triple-A levels.

In his two-year career at Nebraska, he compiled a 16-7 record with a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts, as he ranks fourth with 232 strikeouts in 208.0 career innings. He fanned 10 or more hitters eight times in his career, including four outings during the 2006 campaign.============

HUSKERS PICKED FIRST IN BIG 12 PRESEASON POLL...

Jordan Larson and the Husker volleyball team was picked first in the Big 12 Preseason poll released Tuesday.

IRVING, Texas  Defending national champion Nebraska has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 volleyball title for the 11th consecutive season in a vote of the league's head coaches, the conference office announced Tuesday afternoon.

The Huskers received 10 of the possible 11 first-place votes while tallying 100 points overall. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Last season, NU earned its third NCAA title after going 33-1 overall and 19-1 against the league for its third straight Big 12 crown and ninth title in 11 years of Big 12 action.

Nebraska begins two-a-day practices Wednesday morning while the team's media day is set for Friday, Aug. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the NU Coliseum.

Right-side hitter Sarah Pavan, the 2006 AVCA Player of the Year, headlines a deep and talented Husker roster. Four additional All-Americans will also be featured among the returning starters -- setter Rachel Holloway, outside hitters Christina Houghtelling and Jordan Larson and middle blocker Tracy Stalls. In addition to those five All-Americans, the Huskers also feature three other players with starting experience from a year ago, including middle blockers Kori Cooper and Amanda Gates and defensive specialist Rachel Schwartz, who will move to libero this fall.

Texas was second behind NU with 91 points, including one first-place vote. The Longhorns were followed by Missouri, Texas A&M and Colorado filling the top five spots. Iowa State was sixth with Kansas State, Baylor, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Tech rounding out the poll.

Nebraska also paced the conference with a Big 12 record five preseason All-Big 12 selections, including Holloway, Houghtelling, Larson, Pavan and Stalls.

Pavan was named Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. In 2006, the two-time Big 12 Player of the Year led the conference in kills (5.10 - school record) and points (5.99) per game while hitting .313 on the season. Pavan ranked 10th nationally in kills per game and reached double figures in kills in 33 of 34 matches, including 10 with at least 20 kills. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Championship after posting 5.50 kills and 2.88 digs per game in victories over No. 4 UCLA and No. 2 Stanford. Pavan was awarded numerous awards for her performance in 2006, including the Honda-Broderick Cup, Big 12 Female Athlete of the Year and ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American of the Year.

============

TICKET EXCHANGE:

This section provides a place for Bay Area Huskers to offer/request tickets to Husker athletic games. Just send me an email letting me know what kind, how many and how much with contact info and I'll share with the rest of those on our email list.

OFFERS:

REQUESTS:(This request is from the parents of a new UNL student from the Bay Area) - Allyson is very excited to go to Nebraska. We ARE looking for 2 tickets to the Nebraska - Texas A&M game so if you know anyone, please let us know!Thanks, Sue Ramans taximomslr@aol.com